JP5098653B2 - Fluid container holder and fluid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid container holder that allows a fluid container such as an ink cartridge to be detachable, and a fluid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus including the holder.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) is widely known as one of fluid ejecting apparatuses that eject fluid from a fluid ejecting head. Among such printers, a type of printer that supplies ink from an ink cartridge (fluid containing body) containing ink (fluid) to a recording head (fluid ejecting head) has a cartridge holder (fluid containing) Body holder) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

That is, the cartridge holder of the printer of Patent Document 1 includes an ink supply needle (fluid outlet member) that can be inserted into and removed from an ink outlet (fluid outlet) of the ink cartridge, and a pressurized air inlet ( An air introduction member (working fluid circulation member) that can be brought into close contact with the (container-side circulation port) is provided in parallel in the direction of taking out the ink cartridge. Then, by moving the ink cartridge in the mounting direction, the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink outlet, and the tip of the air introduction member is in close contact with the pressurized air inlet, so that the ink cartridge is mounted in a predetermined manner. It is designed to be attached to the position. Further, by moving the ink cartridge from the mounting position in the take-out direction, the ink supply needle is pulled out from the ink outlet, and the tip of the air introduction member is separated from the pressurized air introduction port. It is designed to be removed from the holder.
JP 2007-137072 A

  By the way, at the final stage when the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder and at the beginning of the removal of the ink cartridge from the cartridge holder, the front end of the air introduction member in the cartridge holder receives a pressing force from the ink cartridge moving in the attachment direction. Will join. Therefore, in the cartridge holder of the printer of Patent Document 1, the tip portion of the air introducing member is slid onto a cylindrical support tube, a cylindrical slide member slidably fitted to the support tube, and a slide. The moving member is composed of a coil spring that always biases the moving member toward the distal end of the air introduction member.

  When a pressing force is applied from the ink cartridge at the final stage of installation of the ink cartridge and at the beginning of removal of the ink cartridge from the cartridge holder, the sliding member resists the biasing force of the coil spring. It moves backward according to the pressing force applied from the ink cartridge. Further, the sliding member that has been moved backward is urged toward the tip of the air introduction member by the biasing force of the coil spring, so that the tip opening of the sliding member, which also serves as the tip of the air introduction member, is compressed air of the ink cartridge. It was trying to be in close contact with the inlet.

  However, in the configuration of the air introduction member in such a cartridge holder, it is necessary to assemble a plurality of members (support tube, sliding member, coil spring), which lowers the assembly efficiency of the cartridge holder and increases the number of members. This makes it difficult to reduce production costs.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fluid container holder capable of improving the assembly efficiency and reducing the production cost by reducing the number of parts and such a fluid. An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid ejecting apparatus including a container holder.

  In order to achieve the above object, the fluid container holder of the present invention includes a mounting position that is detachable when the fluid container that stores the fluid moves in a predetermined direction. A working fluid circulation member for bringing the holder-side circulation port into close contact with the receptacle-side circulation port of the working fluid provided in the fluid container when the fluid container is mounted; In the fluid container holder, the working fluid circulation member has a cantilever shape in which the free end side is elastically deformable with a fixed end as a fulcrum, the holder side circulation port is provided at the free end, and the holder side circulation is provided. A working fluid flow path communicating between the opening and the working fluid circulation source is provided from the free end to the fixed end side, and the container-side circulation port is connected to the holder side when the fluid container is attached to or detached from the mounting position. The free end side when moving to impart a pressing force to the free end side is configured to elastically deform the fixed end as a supporting point being in contact with the passing port.

  According to the said structure, the assembly | attachment to the fluid container holder is completed because the fixed end is fixed to the working fluid distribution | circulation member. In addition, when the fluid container moves so as to apply a pressing force to the free end side in a state where the container side circulation port is in contact with the holder side circulation port provided at the free end when the fluid container is attached or detached The free end side is elastically deformed with the fixed end as a fulcrum. Then, the elastic restoring force after such elastic deformation functions as an urging force capable of bringing the holder-side circulation port in the working fluid circulation member into close contact with the container-side circulation port in the fluid container. Therefore, it is not necessary to further assemble a sliding member or a biasing member having a separate component configuration from the working fluid circulation member. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced to improve the assembly efficiency and reduce the production cost.

  In the fluid container holder of the present invention, the working fluid circulation member may add a working fluid to the fluid container in a state where the holder-side circulation port is in close contact with the container-side circulation port of the fluid container. The fluid container is pressurized by supplying pressure, or the working fluid is sucked from the fluid container to place the fluid container in a negative pressure state.

  According to the above configuration, when pressurized working fluid is supplied into the fluid container through the working fluid circulation member, the fluid contained in the fluid container is derived in a pressurized state based on the applied pressure. On the other hand, when the working fluid is sucked from the fluid container through the working fluid circulation member, the fluid container can be brought into a negative pressure state based on the suction force.

  In the fluid container holder of the present invention, a groove portion extending from the fixed end side to the free end is formed on one surface side of the working fluid circulation member, and the working fluid flow path is formed so as to cover the groove portion. On the other side of the free end of the working fluid circulation member, the holder-side circulation port is provided so as to communicate with the groove portion on the one surface side while a film for forming is attached.

  According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to draw a working fluid circulation tube made of, for example, a silicon tube in order to form the working fluid flow path. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the fluid leakage that is a concern in the silicon tube and the like, and it is possible to cope with a demand for downsizing because there is no routing space.

  Further, in the fluid container holder of the present invention, a cylinder portion extending in a direction of taking out the fluid container from the mounting position is provided from a free end of the working fluid circulation member, and a tip of the cylinder portion is provided. The opening portion constitutes the holder-side circulation port, and when the free end side of the working fluid circulation member is elastically deformed in the vicinity of the working fluid circulation member, the cylindrical portion is slidably guided along the axial direction. A guide portion is provided.

  According to the above configuration, even when the free end side of the working fluid circulation member receives a pressing force from the fluid container and is elastically deformed, the cylindrical portion whose opening at the tip constitutes the holder side circulation port is axially formed by the guide portion. It is guided by sliding. Therefore, the close contact state between the container-side circulation port of the fluid container and the holder-side circulation port of the working fluid circulation member can be favorably maintained.

  In the fluid container holder of the present invention, the working fluid circulation member is cut out from a plate-like flow path forming member having elasticity so as to form a cantilever shape that can be elastically deformed.

  According to the above configuration, the flow path forming member in which such a working fluid circulation member is cut out is formed rather than the case where the fixed end of the working fluid circulation member having a cantilever shape is directly fixed to the fluid container holder. When fixing to the fluid container holder, the assembly work of the fluid container holder becomes easier.

  In the fluid container holder of the present invention, the flow path forming member includes a fluid outlet member that is detachable from a fluid outlet provided in the fluid container separately from the container-side circulation port. The fluid container is provided so as to extend in the direction of taking out the fluid container from the mounting position, and the fluid led out from the fluid container through the fluid outlet and the fluid outlet member is downstream where the fluid is consumed. A fluid flow path for flowing toward the side is formed so as to avoid a cutout portion of the working fluid flow member.

  According to the above configuration, by assembling the flow path forming member, between the flow path configuration of the fluid stored in the fluid container and the fluid container in order to lead the fluid out of the fluid container well. It is possible to complete the flow path configuration of the working fluid circulated in a quick and easy manner.

  Further, the fluid container holder of the present invention has a structure in which the fluid container is in a state where the container-side circulation port is in close contact with the holder-side circulation port of the working fluid circulation member at the mounting position. A locking mechanism that can be locked to restrict movement in the take-out direction is provided.

  According to the above configuration, movement of the fluid container in the take-out direction is restricted when the locking mechanism is locked at the mounting position. Therefore, in the mounting position, the state in which the container-side circulation port is in close contact with the holder-side circulation port of the working fluid circulation member is favorably maintained.

In the fluid container holder of the present invention, the working fluid is air.
According to the above configuration, since the working fluid is air, the working fluid is operated between the fluid container and the working fluid circulation member by a lower viscosity than when the working fluid is a liquid such as silicon oil. The response of the fluid (in this case, air) can be improved. Further, when the working fluid supply path is formed of a tube, the air flowing through the inside is lighter than the liquid, so that the weight of the tube is reduced.

The fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a fluid ejecting head that ejects fluid and the fluid container holder having the above-described configuration.
According to the said structure, the effect similar to invention of the said fluid container holder is acquired.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) which is a kind of liquid ejecting apparatus and a cartridge holder in the printer will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description of the present specification, when referring to “front-rear direction”, “up-down direction”, and “left-right direction”, directions indicated by arrows in the figure are respectively shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a platen 12 is installed in a frame 11 of the printer 10. A recording sheet as a target (not shown) is fed onto the platen 12 by a paper feed mechanism having a paper feed motor (not shown). A rod-shaped guide member 13 is installed in the frame 11 in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the platen 12.

  A carriage 14 is supported on the guide member 13 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the axial direction of the guide member 13. The carriage 14 is connected to a carriage motor 16 via a timing belt 15 stretched between a pair of pulleys 15 a provided in the frame 11. The carriage 14 is reciprocated along the guide member 13 by driving the carriage motor 16.

  A recording head 17 as a fluid ejecting head that is consumed by ejecting ink (fluid) toward the recording paper is mounted on the surface of the carriage 14 that faces the platen 12. Further, a plurality of valve units 18 (four in this embodiment) are provided on the carriage 14 corresponding to the color (type) of ink used in the printer 10 to supply temporarily stored ink to the recording head 17. Is provided.

  A cartridge holder 20 as a fluid container holder is provided at one end (right end) of the frame 11 in FIG. A plurality (four in this embodiment) of ink cartridges 21 as fluid containers are detachably attached to the cartridge holder 20. The other end of a plurality (four in this embodiment) of ink supply tubes 22 each having one end connected to each valve unit 18 on the carriage 14 is connected to the cartridge holder 20.

  A pressurizing pump 23 as a working fluid circulation source is provided on the upper side of the cartridge holder 20, and the pressurizing pump 23 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) air supply tubes 24. To the cartridge holder 20. In the state where each ink cartridge 21 is mounted on the cartridge holder 20, each ink cartridge 21 is connected to each ink supply tube 22 and each air supply tube 24.

  When the pressurizing pump 23 is driven, air as a working fluid is pumped into the ink cartridges 21 through the air supply tubes 24, and the ink in the ink cartridges 21 is pressurized by the air. Each ink is pressurized and supplied to each valve unit 18 via each ink supply tube 22.

Next, the configuration of the ink cartridge 21 and the cartridge holder 20 to which the ink cartridge 21 is mounted will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The ink cartridge 21 includes a cartridge case 25 having a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the cartridge case 25, flexible ink packs (not shown) filled with inks of different colors for each ink cartridge 21 are provided. Contained. Since each ink cartridge 21 has the same configuration except that the shape of the mismounting prevention protrusion 21a is different, one ink cartridge 21 among a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of ink cartridges 21 will be described below. An example will be described. And about the cartridge holder 20, the location where the one ink cartridge 21 is mounted | worn is partially demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an ink outlet 26 as a fluid outlet passes through the inside and outside of the cartridge case 25 at the center of the front surface of the cartridge case 25, which is the surface in the mounting direction of the cartridge holder 20. Is formed. Further, when the cartridge holder 25 is mounted on the front surface of the cartridge case 25, the ink cartridge 21 is pressurized and supplied from the pressure pump 23 through the air supply tube 24 to the position below the ink outlet 26. An air introduction port 27 is formed as a container-side circulation port for introducing air.

  An IC chip (not shown) is provided at the front end of the upper surface of the cartridge case 25. In the IC chip, information on the ink type (color) of the ink cartridge 21 provided with the IC chip and the remaining amount of the ink is recorded for each ink cartridge 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a locking portion 28 having a substantially triangular shape in a side view is raised at the front end portion of the side surface (left side surface in the present embodiment) of the cartridge case 25. A specific configuration of the locking portion 28 will be described later.

  On the other hand, the cartridge holder 20 is a plate made of a holder case 29 having a square cylindrical shape opened in the front-rear direction and an elastic material (for example, synthetic resin) fixed to the holder case 29 so as to close the opening on the front side. The flow path forming member 30 is provided. An insertion port 31 through which the ink cartridge 21 can be inserted into the holder case 29 is formed on the rear surface side of the holder case 29. When the ink cartridge 21 is inserted into the holder case 29 of the cartridge holder 20, the IC chip of the ink cartridge 21 and the terminal 32 provided on the upper wall portion of the holder case 29 come into contact with each other and are recorded on the IC chip. Various types of information are input to a control device (not shown) of the printer 10.

  Further, a partition wall 35 that divides the inside of the holder case 29 into a front-side mechanism housing portion 33 and a rear-side cartridge mounting portion 34 is provided along the vertical direction inside the holder case 29. Positioning pins 36 and 37 (see FIG. 6) project from the upper and lower portions of the rear surface of the partition wall 35 on the cartridge mounting portion 34 side toward the rear in the direction of taking out the ink cartridge 21. When the ink cartridge 21 is mounted at the mounting position in the cartridge mounting portion 34 (position shown in FIGS. 2 and 8), the positioning pins 36 and 37 are formed on the front surface of the cartridge case 25 of the ink cartridge 21. The ink cartridge 21 is aligned by being inserted into the alignment hole (not shown).

  Further, the through-hole 38 penetrates the partition wall 35 at a position corresponding to the ink outlet port 26 of the ink cartridge 21 in the front-rear direction when the ink cartridge 21 is mounted at the mounting position in the cartridge mounting portion 34. A guide hole 39 is formed as a circular guide portion at a position corresponding to the air inlet 27 in the front-rear direction. Similarly, when the ink cartridge 21 is mounted at the mounting position in the cartridge mounting portion 34 on the partition wall 35, a rectangular window is provided at a position corresponding to the locking portion 28 of the ink cartridge 21 in the front-rear direction. The part 40 is formed through.

  On the other hand, a fixed shaft 41 is provided at a height position corresponding to the window portion 40 of the partition wall 35 in the mechanism accommodating portion 33 of the holder case 29, and a helical spring 42 as a locking mechanism with respect to the fixed shaft 41. Is wrapped around. In the helical spring 42, a wire-like locking rod 42 a extending linearly rearward from a portion around the fixed shaft 41 is inserted into the window 40 of the partition wall 35. When the ink cartridge 21 is not mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 34 of the holder case 29, the locking rod 42a has a locking protrusion 43 that is bent at the tip thereof so as to be bent in the left-right direction. 2 is abutted against a stopper wall 44 that extends horizontally from the vicinity of the upper rear surface of the partition wall 35 toward the rear, thereby restricting the rotational urging in the clockwise direction around the fixed shaft 41 in FIG. It has become so.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A, in the flow path forming member 30, insertion holes 46 through which the fixing bolts 45 are inserted at two positions spaced apart in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction across the central portion. Is formed through. Further, on the front surface of the holder case 29, a bolt hole 46 a having a female screw portion (not shown) that engages with the male screw portion of the fixing bolt 45 is provided at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 46 of the flow path forming member 30 in the front-rear direction. Is formed. Then, with the insertion hole 46 positioned in the bolt hole 46a, the fixing bolt 45 is rotated to engage the male screw portion of the fixing bolt 45 and the female screw portion of the bolt hole 46a of the holder case 29, thereby allowing the flow. The path forming member 30 is fixed to the holder case 29.

  Further, when the flow path forming member 30 is fixed to the holder case 29, the communication holes 47 and 48 are provided in the left and right positions at positions above the upper wall of the holder case 29 in the flow path forming member 30. Is formed through. Similarly, when the flow path forming member 30 is fixed to the holder case 29, communication holes 49 and 50 are provided in the front-rear direction at positions corresponding to the through holes 38 and the guide holes 39 formed in the partition wall 35 of the holder case 29. Is formed through.

  Further, on the front surface of the flow path forming member 30, a groove portion that forms a straight line downward in the vertical direction starting from the communication hole 47 and is curved obliquely downward to the left in the vicinity of the communication hole 49 and reaches the communication hole 49. 51 is provided. Similarly, a groove 52 is formed on the front surface of the flow path forming member 30 so as to be linearly downward in the vertical direction starting from the communication hole 48 and curved in the vicinity of the communication hole 50 to reach the communication hole 50. Yes.

  Further, in the flow path forming member 30, substantially U-shaped hollow portions 53 along the curved shape of the groove portion 52 are cut out and formed at both side edges of the groove portion 52 and along the peripheral edge of the lower communication hole 50. . As a result, the cutout portion along the groove 52 in the flow path forming member 30 has the upper end side which is the communication hole 48 side as a fixed end with respect to the flow path forming member 30 and the lower end side which is the communication hole 50 side is a free end. It is formed in a cantilever shape. That is, the cutout portion along the groove 52 in the flow path forming member 30 is an elastic piece portion 54 whose lower end side is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction with the fixed end on the upper end side as a fulcrum.

  And the film F which has gas-barrier property is affixed on the front surface of the flow-path formation member 30 in which the above groove parts 51 and 52 were formed by heat welding. As a result, the groove portions 51 and 52 and the communication holes 47 to 50 communicating with the upper and lower ends of the groove portions 51 and 52 are covered with the film F so that the openings toward the front side thereof are covered with the flow path forming member. 30, an ink flow path extending between the communication hole 47 and the communication hole 49 and an air flow path extending between the communication hole 48 and the communication hole 50 are formed. In this embodiment, a fluid flow path is formed by the ink flow path formed including the groove 51 extending between the communication hole 47 and the communication hole 49, and extends between the communication hole 48 and the communication hole 50. The working fluid flow path is constituted by the air flow path formed including the groove 52. The film F is cut along the hollow portion 53 after heat welding so that the operation of the elastic piece portion 54 is not hindered.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a communication hole 47 that communicates with the upper end of the groove 51 that forms the ink flow path is formed on the rear surface of the flow path forming member 30 on the holder case 29 side. One end is opened, and the upstream end of the ink supply tube 22 is connected to the rear surface side opening of the communication hole 47. Further, a portion of the rear surface of the flow path forming member 30 corresponding to the communication hole 49 communicating with the lower end portion of the groove 51 constituting the ink flow path serves as a fluid lead-out member whose base end side communicates with the communication hole 49. An ink supply needle 55 is provided so as to extend rearward in the direction of the insertion port 31 of the holder case 29.

  The ink supply needle 55 is formed so that the inside thereof is hollow, and an ink outlet hole 56 is formed at the tip of the ink supply needle 55. In addition, the ink supply needle 55 is inserted into a through hole 38 formed in the partition wall 35 of the holder case 29 on the tip side, and the tip portion projects from the partition wall 35. When the ink cartridge 21 is inserted into the cartridge holder 20, the tip of the ink supply needle 55 is inserted into the ink cartridge 21 through the ink outlet 26 formed on the front surface of the cartridge case 25. It has become. That is, the ink in the ink cartridge 21 is inserted into the ink outlet port 26 by inserting the ink supply needle 55 into the recording head 17 via the ink supply needle 55, the groove 51 constituting the ink flow path, and the ink supply tube 22. It is led to the side.

  One end of a communication hole 48 that communicates with the upper end of the groove 52 that forms the air flow path is opened on the rear surface of the flow path forming member 30, and air is supplied to the rear surface side opening of the communication hole 48. The downstream end of the tube 24 is connected. In addition, a portion of the rear surface of the flow path forming member 30 corresponding to the communication hole 50 that communicates with the lower end of the groove 52 that forms the air flow path has a substantially cylindrical air that communicates with the communication hole 50 at the base end side. The introduction cylinder part 57 is provided so as to extend rearward in the direction of the insertion port 31 of the holder case 29.

  The air introduction cylinder part 57 is configured such that the opening part 57a at its tip functions as a holder-side circulation port. And the front end side where such an opening part 57a was formed is inserted in the guide hole 39 formed in the partition wall 35 of the holder case 29, and it bends to the wall surface of the partition wall 35 by bending the elastic piece part 54. It is configured to be slidable in the orthogonal front-rear direction. In addition, protrusions 58 projecting radially outward from a plurality of locations (three locations in the present embodiment) on the outer peripheral surface which is the front side (ie, the base end side) of the partition wall 35 in the air introduction tube portion 57. Are formed at equiangular intervals. A coil spring 60 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the air introduction tube portion 57 so as to be positioned between the protrusions 58 and the rear surface of the flow path forming member 30.

  As a result, when the air introduction tube portion 57 receives a pressing force so as to move toward the front, which is the base end direction, due to the elastic return force of the elastic piece portion 54 and the biasing force of the coil spring 60, The original position (the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) is restored. The air introduction cylinder portion 57 is inserted into the guide hole 39 of the partition wall 35 so that the tip side protrudes from the partition wall 35 into the cartridge mounting portion 34 in the middle of the axial direction. The air introduction cylinder portion 57 is designed so that the total length in the front-rear direction is shorter than the ink supply needle 55.

  Further, a substantially cylindrical seal member 61 made of a flexible material such as rubber is fitted to the tip end portion of the air introduction cylinder portion 57 that protrudes from the partition wall 35. When the ink cartridge 21 is inserted into the cartridge holder 20, the air introduction cylinder portion 57 introduces air introduced into the front surface of the cartridge case 25 by the elastic force of the elastic piece portion 54 and the biasing force of the coil spring 60. The pressurized air is brought into close contact with the opening 27 through a seal member 61 so as to be able to flow therethrough. That is, in the present embodiment, pressurized air as a working fluid is pressurized and supplied into the ink cartridge by the elastic piece portion 54 in which the groove portion 52 and the air introduction cylinder portion 57 forming the air flow path as described above are formed. A working fluid circulation member is configured for this purpose.

  In the above description, the configuration in which one flow path forming member 30 is provided for each air flow path individually corresponding to each ink color is exemplified, but this may be configured as follows. . That is, the communication holes 50 and the groove portions 52 individually corresponding to the respective ink colors are formed in the same flow path forming member 30, and the groove portions that connect the groove portions 52 are further formed. Then, by welding the film F to the flow path forming member 30, a plurality of air flow paths individually corresponding to the ink colors are formed. With this configuration, since the air flow paths communicate with each other, it is possible to supply pressurized air into the ink cartridges of each color by providing only one air supply tube 24. Miniaturization can be achieved.

Next, the operation of the above-described cartridge holder 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, when the ink cartridge 21 is attached to the cartridge holder 20, the ink cartridge 21 is inserted from the insertion port 31 of the holder case 29 in the cartridge holder 20, as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink cartridge 21 is pushed to the mounting position in the cartridge mounting portion 34 which is the inner back portion of the holder case 29, so that the terminal 32 and the ink provided on the upper wall portion of the holder case 29 The IC chip provided at the front end portion of the upper surface of the cartridge case 25 in the cartridge 21 comes into contact, and the IC chip and the control unit of the printer 10 are electrically connected.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, when the ink cartridge 21 is inserted to the middle of the holder case 29, the partition hole of the holder case 29 is inserted into the alignment hole formed in the front surface of the cartridge case 25 in the ink cartridge 21. Positioning pins 36 and 37 projecting from the wall 35 are inserted, whereby the ink cartridge 21 is positioned in the holder case 29 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Further, at the time of this mounting, the engagement with the helical spring 42 provided in the holder case 29 with respect to the substantially triangular engagement portion 28 that is raised at the front end portion of the left side surface of the cartridge case 25 in the ink cartridge 21. When the locking projection 43 of the rod 42a is locked, the ink cartridge 21 is locked and held in a state where the ink cartridge 21 is prevented from coming off at the mounting position.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a locking portion 28 having a substantially triangular shape is formed in a protruding manner at the front end portion of the left side surface of the cartridge case 25 in the ink cartridge 21. A locking projection 43 at the tip of the locking rod 42 a of the helical spring 42 is engageable around the locking portion 28 so as to follow the substantially triangular peripheral wall of the locking portion 28. An engagement groove 62 is formed.

  Here, the engaging groove 62 along the peripheral wall of the locking portion 28 is formed such that the groove depth of the portion extending in parallel with the stopper wall 44 in the holder case 29 is different from the groove depth of the other portion. That is, the portion extending in parallel with the stopper wall 44 has a stepped portion 62 a in which the trapezoidal portion on the front end side is lower than the raised height of the locking portion 28 and the groove depth is shallower than other portions in the engaging groove 62. A rectangular portion that continues from the step portion 62a to the rear end side is a slope portion 62b that is continuous with the other portions of the engagement groove 62 in a slope shape.

  A guide wall surface 28a that is inclined in the front-rear direction is formed on the locking portion 28 by the front wall surface of the stepped portion 62a and the inclined wall surface of the locking portion 28. Is formed. A locking recess 28b that is recessed forward is formed on the wall surface along the vertical direction on the rear surface side of the locking portion 28, and at a height position that corresponds to an intermediate position in the vertical direction of the locking recess 28b. A locking wall surface 62c extends from the rear wall surface of the engaging groove 62 to the front side in the horizontal direction.

  Therefore, when the ink cartridge 21 is inserted into the holder case 29, the locking rod 42a of the helical spring 42 in the state where the locking projection 43 is in contact with the stopper wall 44 of the holder case 29 is located at the tip of the ink cartridge 21. The locking projection 43 is in sliding contact with the inclined front wall surface (upper part of the guide wall surface 28 a) of the stepped portion 62 a of the engagement groove 62. Then, when the locking projection 43 is slidably guided downward by the guide wall surface 28a, the locking rod 42a swings so as to bend downward in the accumulated state with the fixed shaft 41 as a fulcrum.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the ink cartridge 21 is pushed into the holder case 29 to a position slightly past the mounting position against the urging force of the coil spring 63, the locking rod 42a of the helical spring 42 is obtained. The leading locking projection 43 reaches the rear end of the guide wall surface 28 a of the locking portion 28. At this time, the ink cartridge 21 is pushed forward in the insertion direction with the air introduction port 27 in close contact with the opening 57 a of the air introduction cylinder 57 of the holder case 29.

  Therefore, the air introduction cylinder portion 57 of the holder case 29 is pressed forward by the ink cartridge 21 against the urging force of the coil spring 60 and the elastic force of the elastic piece portion 54, and is inserted into the guide hole 39 of the partition wall 35. It moves forward while being guided by sliding in the horizontal direction. As a result, the elastic piece portion 54 in which the groove portion 52 is formed is fixedly supported by the flow path forming member 30 so that the upper end side forms a cantilever shape, so that the lower end side of the elastic piece portion 54 has the upper end side as a fulcrum. The part 57 is bent and deformed so as to form an S shape by the amount pushed forward by the movement of the part 57 (see FIG. 8B).

  When the ink cartridge 21 is further pushed in from the state in the insertion direction, the locking projection 43 formed at the tip of the locking rod 42 a of the helical spring 42 causes the ink to return to the ink by the elastic return force of the helical spring 42. After the rear end portion of the guide wall surface 28 a of the locking portion 28 of the cartridge 21 is moved upward and separated, it contacts the locking wall surface 62 c in the engagement groove 62. When the pushing of the ink cartridge 21 is stopped, the cartridge holder 20 moves the ink cartridge 21 toward the insertion port 31 by the urging force of the coil spring 60.

  As a result, the locking projection 43 of the locking rod 42 a of the helical spring 42 is moved forward from the locking wall surface 62 c of the engagement groove 62 of the ink cartridge 21 and then into the locking recess 28 b of the locking portion 28. Lock (see FIG. 9). The elastic piece portion 54 in which the groove portion 52 is formed is elastically restored to the elastic piece portion 54 itself by being bent and deformed by being pushed forward through the air introduction cylinder portion 57 by the pushing of the ink cartridge 21. The state before the deformation is restored by the force and the biasing force of the coil spring 60. The elastic restoring force functions as an urging force capable of bringing the opening 57 a (also the opening of the seal member 61) formed at the tip of the air introduction cylinder portion 57 into close contact with the air introduction port 27 in the ink cartridge 21. .

  When the locking projection 43 of the locking rod 42a of the helical spring 42 is locked to the locking recess 28b of the locking portion 28 of the ink cartridge 21, the movement of the ink cartridge 21 in the direction of the insertion port 31 is restricted. As a result, the mounting position is fixed. Accordingly, the ink supply needle 55 is inserted into the ink outlet 26 in the ink cartridge 21 in a state where the opening 57 a of the air inlet cylinder 57 is in close contact with the air inlet 27. From this state, the pressurized air generated by the pressurizing pump 23 provided in the frame 11 is introduced into the ink cartridge 21 through the groove 52 and the air introducing cylinder 57 that constitute the pressurized air flow path. Then, the ink pack in the ink cartridge 21 is pressurized. Then, the ink in the ink pack is pressurized and supplied to the recording head 17 via the ink supply needle 55, the groove portion 51 constituting the ink flow path, and the ink supply tube 22.

  On the other hand, when removing the ink cartridge 21 mounted in the holder case 29, the ink cartridge 21 is again slightly pushed into the holder case 29 against the urging force of the coil spring 63. At this time, the lower end side of the elastic piece portion 54 in which the groove portion 52 forming the air flow path is formed is bent and deformed so as to form an S shape by the amount pushed forward by the movement of the air introduction cylinder portion 57. (See FIG. 10). Further, the locking projection 43 of the locking rod 42 a of the helical spring 42 abuts against the stopper wall 44 of the holder case 29 after being separated rearward from the locking recess 28 b of the locking portion 28 of the ink cartridge 21. As a result, the locked state of the ink cartridge 21 by the locking projection 43 of the locking rod 42a of the helical spring 42 is released.

  When pushing of the ink cartridge 21 is stopped after the locked state of the ink cartridge 21 is released, the cartridge holder 20 moves the ink cartridge 21 toward the insertion port 31 by the urging force of the coil spring 63. As a result, the ink cartridge 21 can be removed from the cartridge holder 20. At this time, the locking rod 42a of the helical spring 42 of the cartridge holder 20 has a slanted portion in the engagement groove 62 in a state where the locking projection 43 at the tip thereof is in contact with the stopper wall 44 of the holder case 29. After moving from 62b so as to get over the stepped portion 62a, the posture toward the insertion port 31 of the cartridge holder 20 is again taken. That is, the ink cartridge 21 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge holder 20 by the above cycle.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the above embodiment, the elastic piece portion 54 in which the groove portion 52 forming the air flow path is formed together with the flow path forming member 30 cut out so that the elastic piece portion 54 forms a cantilever shape. By being fixed to the holder case 29, the assembly to the cartridge holder 20 is completed. Further, when the ink cartridge 21 is attached / detached, the ink cartridge 21 is in a state where the air introduction port 27 is in contact with the opening 57 a of the air introduction cylinder portion 57 extending from the free end of the elastic piece portion 54. When moving so as to apply a pressing force, the free end side is elastically deformed with the upper fixed end as a fulcrum. The elastic restoring force after such elastic deformation functions as an urging force capable of bringing the opening 57 a of the air introduction cylinder portion 57 into close contact with the air introduction port 27 of the ink cartridge 21. Therefore, it is not necessary to further assemble a sliding member or a biasing member having a separate component configuration from the elastic piece portion 54 in which the groove portion 52 is formed. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced to improve the assembly efficiency and reduce the production cost.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the cartridge holder 20 has the opening 57 a of the air introduction cylinder portion 57 that communicates with the communication hole 50 of the groove portion 52 constituting the air flow path at the base end side as the air introduction port 27 of the ink cartridge 21. By being in close contact, air is pressurized and supplied into the ink cartridge 21 through the air flow path. Therefore, ink can be led out from the ink cartridge 21 in a pressurized state based on the pressure of air.

  (3) In the above embodiment, an air flow path is formed in the groove 52 constituting the air flow path by sticking the film F to the flow path forming member 30 so as to cover the opening on the front side. ing. Therefore, it is not necessary to draw an air supply tube made of, for example, a silicon tube or the like in order to form the air flow path. Therefore, ink leakage which is a concern in a silicon tube or the like can be suppressed, and a space for drawing is eliminated, so that it is possible to appropriately respond to a request for downsizing.

  (4) In the above embodiment, even when the free end side of the elastic piece portion 54 in which the groove portion 52 forming the air flow path is formed is elastically deformed by receiving a pressing force from the ink cartridge 21, it has an opening 57a at the tip. The air introduction tube portion 57 is slidably guided in the axial direction by the guide hole 39 of the partition wall 35. Therefore, the close contact state between the air introduction port 27 of the ink cartridge 21 and the opening 57a of the air introduction cylinder portion 57 can be favorably maintained.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the elastic piece portion 54 in which the groove portion 52 constituting the air flow path is formed has a cantilever shape that can be elastically deformed from the plate-like flow path forming member 30 having elasticity. Cutout is formed. Therefore, the elastic piece portion 54 having such a groove portion 52 is cut out and formed in comparison with the case where the fixed end of the cantilever-like member having the same shape as the elastic piece portion 54 is directly fixed to the cartridge holder 20. When the flow path forming member 30 is fixed to the cartridge holder 20, the assembly work of the cartridge holder 20 becomes easier.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the flow path forming member 30 is provided with the ink supply needle 55 that is detachable with respect to the ink outlet 26 provided in the ink cartridge 21 and extends in the direction of taking out the ink cartridge 21. In addition, a groove 51 that forms an ink flow path and a groove 52 that forms an air flow path are formed together with the ink supply needle 55. Therefore, by assembling such a flow path forming member 30, the flow path configuration of the ink accommodated in the ink cartridge 21 and the ink cartridge can be circulated between the ink cartridge and the ink cartridge in order to lead out the ink well. The flow path configuration of the pressurized air can be completed quickly and easily.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the cartridge holder 20 has the locking protrusion 43 that can be locked so as to restrict the movement in the take-out direction with respect to the locking portion 28 of the ink cartridge 21 in the mounting position. A helical spring 42 is provided. Therefore, in the mounting position, the state where the air introduction port 27 of the ink cartridge 21 is in close contact with the opening 57a of the air introduction cylinder 57 is favorably maintained.

  (8) In the above embodiment, since the working fluid introduced into the ink cartridge 21 is air, the ink cartridge 21 and the ink cartridge 21 are less viscous than when the working fluid is a liquid such as silicon oil. It is possible to improve the responsiveness of the flow of the working fluid between the air introduction cylinder portion 57. Further, when the working fluid supply path is formed of a tube, the air flowing through the inside is lighter than the liquid, so that the weight of the tube is reduced.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the coil spring 60 that urges the air introduction cylinder portion 57 toward the insertion port 31 of the holder case 29 may be omitted. That is, the opening 57 a of the air introduction cylinder 57 may be brought into close contact with the air introduction port 27 of the ink cartridge 21 only by the elastic restoring force of the elastic piece 54 itself in which the groove 52 is formed. In such a case, the assembly of the cartridge holder 20 can be improved and the production cost can be reduced by further reducing the number of parts.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink flow path may be configured such that an ink supply tube that is a separate component from the flow path forming member 30 that forms the air flow path is directly connected to the proximal end of the ink supply needle 55.

  In the above embodiment, the air flow path is not formed by covering the opening with the film F after providing the groove 52 on one surface side of the flow path forming member 30, but inside the flow path forming member 30. You may comprise by forming a hollow air flow path in the up-down direction.

  In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 21 is formed from the air introduction port 27 of the ink cartridge 21 without forming the air introduction cylindrical portion 57 from the free end of the elastic piece portion 54 in which the groove portion 52 forming the air flow path is formed. A hollow air-introducing cylindrical portion may be extended toward the mounting direction, and the front end thereof may be in close contact with the rear surface side opening of the communication hole 50 at the free end of the elastic piece portion 54.

  In the above embodiment, the air introduction port 27 of the ink cartridge 21 and the opening 57 a of the air introduction cylinder portion 57 may be in close contact without the seal member 61 interposed.

  In the above embodiment, by connecting a negative pressure generating device as a working fluid circulation source to the upstream end of the air supply tube 24, the negative pressure acting in the ink cartridge 21 is adjusted to adjust the ink from the ink cartridge 21. The derivation of may be controlled.

In the above embodiment, air is used as the working fluid for pressurizing or depressurizing the inside of the ink cartridge 21, but a liquid such as silicon oil may be used as the working fluid.
In addition, the “fluid” in this specification includes liquids other than ink (including inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts), etc.) and functional material particles. It also includes fluids that are dispersed or mixed, and fluids such as gels. As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges such “fluid”, for example, an electrode material or a color material (pixel material) used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, and a surface emitting display. Liquid ejecting device that ejects a liquid material that contains materials such as dispersed or dissolved materials, a liquid ejecting device that ejects bio-organic matter used in biochip manufacturing, and a liquid ejecting fluid that serves as a sample used as a precision pipette It may be a device. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, and a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid such as a gel (for example, a physical gel) It may be.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partially omitted perspective view of the cartridge holder in the present embodiment. (A) is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a main part of the cartridge holder, and (b) is a front view of the flow path forming member as seen from the rear side in the take-out direction. FIG. 4 is a side view of a cartridge holder in the middle of mounting an ink cartridge. FIG. 4 is a side view of the cartridge holder with an ink cartridge installed. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the cartridge holder at the start of ink cartridge installation. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating the operation of the cartridge holder when starting to install the ink cartridge. (A) is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the cartridge holder just before mounting | wearing of an ink cartridge, (b) is a partial schematic expanded sectional view of (a). FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the cartridge holder when the ink cartridge is completely installed. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the cartridge holder during removal of the ink cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer as fluid ejecting apparatus, 17 ... Recording head as fluid ejecting head, 20 ... Cartridge holder as fluid container holder, 21 ... Ink cartridge as fluid container, 23 ... Pressurization as working fluid distribution source Pump: 26 ... Ink outlet port as fluid outlet port, 27 ... Air inlet port as container-side circulation port, 30 ... Flow path forming member, 39 ... Guide hole as guide portion, 42 ... Vine constituting a locking mechanism Winding spring, 51... Groove part constituting part of ink flow path as fluid flow path, 52... Groove part constituting part of air flow path as working fluid flow path, 54... Elastic piece as working fluid circulation member 55, an ink supply needle as a fluid outlet member, 57 ... an air introduction cylinder as a cylinder, 57a ... an opening as a holder side circulation port, F ... a film.

Claims (7)

A mounting part for mounting a fluid container for containing a fluid therein, and a holder-side fluid circulation that communicates with a container-side fluid circulation port provided in the fluid container when the fluid container is mounted in the mounting part In a fluid container holder provided with a fluid circulation member having a mouth,
The fluid circulation member has a cantilever-like part whose free end side is elastically deformable with a fixed end as a fulcrum, and a fluid flow passage capable of supplying fluid to the holder side fluid circulation port,
The holder side fluid circulation port is disposed on the free end side of the fluid circulation member ,
The fluid flow path is formed by a groove formed from a fixed end side to a free end side of the fluid circulation member, and a covering member that covers the groove part, and on the free end side of the fluid flow path, The holder for the fluid container is provided with the holder-side circulation port . The fluid container holder according to claim 1,
The fluid circulation member includes a cylinder portion that extends toward a mounting surface on which the fluid container is mounted and has the holder-side circulation port, and a guide portion that slides the cylinder portion. Container holder. In the fluid container holder according to any one of claims 1 and 2 ,
A fluid container holder comprising a locking mechanism for restricting movement of the fluid container in the take-out direction when the fluid container is mounted. In the fluid container holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
When the fluid container is attached to the fluid container holder, the fluid circulation member supplies a fluid into the fluid container. In the fluid container holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
When the fluid container is attached to the fluid container holder, the fluid circulation member derives fluid from the fluid container. In the fluid container holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The fluid container holder, wherein the fluid circulation member is cut out from a plate member having elasticity. A fluid ejecting head that ejects a fluid, the fluid ejecting apparatus comprising the fluid container holder according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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